One Covid-19 variant has overtaken others in Ireland, as a GP has shared the unusual early symptom that people should be looking out for if they contract the virus

It has been reported that the Covid-19 variant that is behind nearly all the new cases in Ireland is Stratus (XFG).

It was confirmed by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre that during the first week of September, Stratus made up 76.1% of reported infections.

This was a hike of 49.3%, compared to six weeks ago in the country.

It was found that Dublin is home to the highest number of new cases, with 89 reported infections. It was followed by Cork at 57 and then Limerick at 33.

However, there are some counties that didn't have any reported infections. They were Mayo and Laois.

Stratus is said to have an unusual early symptom when compared to some other Covid-19 variants.

, a Harley Street GP, explained that people may notice a difference in their voice when they first start feeling unwell.

"One of the most noticeable symptoms of the Stratus variant is hoarseness, which includes a scratchy or raspy voice," he told Cosmopolitan UK.

People that contract the virus variant may also deal with sore throats, fatigue, stomach upsets and nasal congestion.

Dr Peter Chin-Hong from the University of California San Francisco shared that more people are expected to test positive for this variant as children head back to school.

"There's a little bit more sore throats with some people, particularly in those who are older, who didn't get vaccinated last year," he told SFGATE.

"It's more transmissible, so we expect that a lot of people will get it, particularly with kids going back to school, a sniffle is likely going to be Covid."

Other symptoms are in line with general Covid symptoms, with HSE listing ones to look out for:

The most common symptoms of Covid-19 are:

fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above) - including having chills

dry cough

fatigue (tiredness)

Covid-19 symptoms can be like symptoms of cold, flu or hay fever. You may not have all of the symptoms or your symptoms may be mild.

Less common symptoms of Covid-19 include:

loss or change to your sense of smell or taste - this could mean they're completely gone or just different to normal

nasal congestion (runny or blocked nose)

conjunctivitis (also known as red eye or pink eye)

sore throat

headache

muscle or joint pain (aches and pains)

different types of skin rash

nausea or vomiting

diarrhoea

chills or dizziness

Severe symptoms

Symptoms of severe Covid‐19 include:

shortness of breath or breathing difficulties

loss of appetite

confusion

pain or pressure in the chest

fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above)